Callice Marie "Kat" Perry-Smith

Callice Marie Perry-Smith of Orange, NJ, affectionately known to all as Kat, completed her earthly journey on December 14, 2023. Born on July 7, 1944, in the small town of Roper, North Carolina, to parents George Henry Perry Jr. & Fannie Ward Watson. Kat, who is the eldest child of George Henry Perry Jr.'s 6 children, has been a beacon of perseverance and joy that illuminated the lives of all who knew her. Her departure from this world marks not an end but a continuation of her legacy through the many lives she touched.
Kat's early years were spent in the halls of Roper High School in Washington County, NC where she blossomed into a young woman of formidable intellect and charm. Her laughter was infectious, her wit sharp, and her determination unyielding. She carried these traits into every chapter of her life, inspiring her peers and later, her children, Morris Marcellus Watson of Brooklyn, N.Y. and Regina Marie Smith of Washington, N.J. to pursue excellence with a relentless zest for life.
Kat arrived in NYC where she met and married her soulmate of over 50 years, Ernest D. Smith, who preceded her in death. Kat spent most her life as a wife and caregiver. She wasn't the life of the party type they met at the local bar/club where he used to play drums in his brother's group known Frankie Thunder. They lived on 151st Street in Harlem. They then moved to Rockaway where she started working at McDonald's for 5 years, then went to school to become nurse's aide.
Kat was a soft-spoken woman with a big heart, as mighty as it was, it carried her through a tapestry of experiences until she quietly came to rest after a sudden illness. Yet, even in her passing, Kat's indomitable spirit remains a guiding force for her beloved grandchildren, whose own successes are testaments to their grandmother's extraordinary influence. Kat's siblings, Maddie, William, Butch, Tony, & David Perry, who preceded her in death, reflect the same tenacity and love that she embodied throughout her years.
Kat's passion for Family and Friends was not merely a pastime but a reflection of her own approach to life: a fearless woman at heart, navigating the uncharted terrains of existence with a sense of adventure and unwavering courage. She approached every challenge with the poise of a hero riding into the sunset, knowing that each day was an opportunity to make a difference.
Kat's life was a vivid illustration of the powerful words by Helen Keller: "Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all." Kat lived by this creed, seizing every moment with a bold heart and an open mind. She taught us that the essence of life is not found in the shadows of caution but in the brilliant light of risks taken and love shared.
As we bid farewell to Kat, we celebrate a life that was lived with an intensity that inspired everyone around her. Her story does not conclude with her final breath; it continues in the laughter of her children, grandchildren, the resilience of her siblings, and the hearts of her friends. Her memory will dance like the flickering flames of a campfire under a starlit Eastern sky-warm, comforting, and eternally inviting.
Let us honor Kat's memory by embracing the adventure that life offers, by loving fiercely, and by walking through each day with the same boldness that she showed us. Her life was a masterclass in the art of living, and her lessons will endure as long as the tales of the Old West. Ride on, Kat, into the eternal sunrise, and thank you for the trails you've blazed for us all.
Callice (Kat) is survived by Morris Marcellus Watson (son), Regina Marie Smith (daughter), 4 grandchildren Ian Christopher Osborne, Breanna Callice Watson, Kiana Marie Smith and Daja Marie Mitchell, Felicia Watson (daughter in-law) and a host of aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins & friends.
This Online Memorial has been created to commemorate the life of Callice Marie Perry-Smith. Leave a message on the Tribute Wall to share your favorite memories and offer words of sympathy and comfort.